'To lose two family members at once is unbelievably painful': Prentice family

The family of former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice — who lost two family members Thursday in a plane crash north of Kelowna, B.C. — called the deaths “unbelievably painful.”

“In the time Jim has been with us, he was a friend to many. Jim was a loving and compassionate man who dedicated his life to his family and public service,” read the statement from Prentice’s family. “He will be so greatly missed.”

Calgary optometrist Ken Gellatly, the father-in-law of one of Prentice’s daughters, was also killed in the crash.

As news of Prentice’s death spread, politicians in Alberta and across the country shared their condolences.

“There are no words adequate for moments like this, as my family knows very well,” Premier Rachel Notely said in a statement, referring to her father Grant Notley who was leader of the opposition NDP when he died in a 1984 plane crash. “But there are words to remember Premier Prentice’s contributions to Alberta … He worked tirelessly for all of us, in the true spirit of one who is committed to public service.

“Today our thoughts are with his family. With Karen and their daughters Christina, Cassia and Kate. And with two grandchildren who will have much to be proud of in their grandfather.”

“His dedication to public service was an inspiration to everyone who had the honour of working with him,” McIver said in a statement. “Beyond this dedication and commitment to public service, Jim was a kind and generous man who always put his family first. Our deepest sympathies are with his wife Karen, their daughters and the entire Prentice family.”

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said in a statement Prentice’s death “leaves a hole in our hearts.”

“For his colleagues who served with him in Ottawa and Alberta, we will remember him as a man of great compassion, who held firm in his belief in the dignity of all people and a leader who worked relentlessly towards his goal of making this province and this country a better place.”

Liberal Leader David Swan recalled working with Prentice when he was an MP for Calgary Centre-North.

“The Prentice family lives a stone’s throw from my own home in Calgary. During Jim’s time as an MP our constituencies overlapped and we worked together on issues of mutual importance,” Swan said in a statement. “Jim was honest, fair and dedicated to what was best for the people he represented.”

The family of Calgary MLA Manmeet Bhullar, killed in a highway crash last November, issued a statement about the support the Prentice family has given them. “In our darkest days Jim and Karen were by our family’s side with love and comfort. Today our hearts are shattered once again. Our love is with the Prentice family. We witnessed Jim’s dedication to a life of public service, with deep admiration and respect,” reads the statement. “Jim was a mentor, a loyal supporter and a champion of Manmeet’s. We hope somewhere today two dear friends are reunited.”

Mayor Don Iveson in a statement remembered Prentice as a “consummate professional and someone who loved Alberta and believed deeply in its potential.”

“His reasoned, pragmatic voice in Canadian politics will be sorely missed,” the statement read.

In Alberta on an unrelated visit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke of how Prentice drew respect across all party lines in the House of Commons for his “intelligence, commitment, and honest straightforward approach on tough issues.”

“I greatly enjoyed the time I spent working closely beside Jim in the House, and know that he will be missed by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” Trudeau said in a statement, calling Prentice’s role in finalizing the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement his legacy.

Rona Ambrose, Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, called Prentice’s death a “huge loss to the country.”

“All of us in the Conservative family are devastated today,” she said in a statement.

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